Raleigh, N.C. — With 102 confirmed cases in 14 states, a nationwide measles outbreak is renewing questions about the importance of vaccinations and an ethical debate among doctors about whether they should refuse to treat unvaccinated patients.

Jeffers, Mann & Artman Pediatrics in Clayton has taken a zero-tolerance stance on vaccines, advising parents to have their children immunized or find another doctor.

Dr. Mary Evelyn O'Neil, a pediatrician at the practice, says one case can start an outbreak.

"That newborn baby in our waiting room who hasn't had a chance to get a vaccine – we want to protect them from the child sitting next to them who might be coming in with measles," O'Neil said.

O'Neil says the practice changed its policy about a year ago and since then, has had to turn away some patients.

It's a sentiment echoed by a small number of doctors across the nation who, in recent years, have followed similar actions in an effort to lead parents to change their minds.

The American Academy of Pediatrics says doctors should bring up the importance of vaccinations during visits but should respect a parent's wishes unless there is a significant risk to the child.

Some doctors are adamant about not accepting patients who do not believe in vaccinations, saying they don't want to be responsible for someone's death from an illness that was preventable.

Other doctors, however, say it is best to seek alternatives, such as separate waiting rooms.

Dr. David Tayloe, a Goldsboro pediatrician and former president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, says the dilemma is a difficult one.

He practices in a rural area where access to primary care pediatricians is limited.

"It's, ethically, very difficult to say you can't bring your child to our practice," he said.

Still, he too is now taking a tougher stance by allowing patients up to six months to decide if they will immunize.

If not, he asks them to find care elsewhere.

Before the introduction of a measles vaccine in 1963, 3 million to 4 million Americans contracted the disease each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those, 400 to 500 died and 48,000 were hospitalized.

Thanks largely to the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, which is 97 percent effective, measles were considered eliminated in the United States in 2000.

All states require children to get certain vaccinations to enroll in school, but 20 states that let parents opt out by obtaining personal belief waivers.

In recent years, nearly all U.S. measles cases have been linked to travelers who caught the virus abroad and spread it in this country among unvaccinated people.

Public health officials say most of the measles cases in the current outbreak have been traced directly or indirectly to Disneyland in Southern California, where two people with the disease visited in December

John HeitzenraterFeb 3, 2015

FACT! In the last 10 years 0 people have died from having the measles. Yet, 108 have died from receiving the vaccination.

— Posted by freedomfromAmeriKa

FACT! before the MMR vaccine, an average of 500 people died per year from measles.

John HeitzenraterFeb 3, 2015

View quoted thread

FACT! In the last 10 years 0 people have died from having the measles. Yet, 108 have died from receiving the vaccination.

— Posted by freedomfromAmeriKa

false. take your pseudoscience somewhere else.

freedomfromAmeriKaFeb 3, 2015

FACT! In the last 10 years 0 people have died from having the measles. Yet, 108 have died from receiving the vaccination.

Matt WoodFeb 3, 2015

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prodigalrn:

So, thimerosal - a derivative of "mercury" used as a preservative in the vaccines could not possibly be contributing to the significant Autism increase in children? Wow...

— Posted by goobnav

Did you know another vaccine preservative, formaldehyde, exists naturally in your blood at 1 MILLION times the amount found in a dose of a flu vaccine? I would point you to this article: http://www.skepticalraptor.com/skepticalraptorblog.php/scary-flu-vaccine-ingredients/

In regards to thimerasol (which is in flu vaccines, not MMR): "So, you would have to inject your child 4 million times a day, every day, to make it potentially toxic."

In fact, it is the anti-vaxxers that are boosting Big Pharma profits, as not being able to use these "scary" preservatives is driving up vaccine costs rapidly.

Kaitlyn LegareFeb 3, 2015

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have you tried to educate an anti-vaxxer? i have. it's almost impossible. the more you challenge their superstition with actual facts, the more they cling to it. or they'll just move the goalposts.

— Posted by John Heitzenrater

I haven't, but I personally know of one woman who was totally anti-vax (and anti-food preservatives, anti-you name it) who had a change of heart after her peds finally got through to her. Apparently she didn't believe anyone else. So there is hope for some of them!

Tanya RoseFeb 3, 2015

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The media is blaming the parents who didn't vaccinate.(I believe in vaccination, was blessed to have a healthy family). But another issue that should be addressed is people who are coming here without vaccinations. Until recently, we had eradicated many diseases and, thanks to Obama, we have let millions in without health immunizations and heath records. It's a border and travel issue that needs to be fixed for the safety of our children. Just saw a childcare owner on the news who is dealing with whooping cough. Who knew Obama would turn us into a third world country.

— Posted by Danny22

First off, many of the countries you are suggesting have higher vaccination rates than the US. Second, Obama didn't 'let' millions of people in. Immigration was an issue way before Obama took office. It has ALWAYS been an issue in this country. It was one of the reasons people voted for W. He was a governor of a border state with Mexico and he was supposed to know how to deal with illegal immigrants. Even Reagan had issues with this. If you think that immigration has only been a problem under Obama then you need to seriously study up on recent history.

Kristin ByrneFeb 3, 2015

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There is a whole new generation of parents now and they need to be educated about the importance of vaccinating their children just like their parents were. There is also a whole new generation of doctors now who have probably never even seen a patient with measles, rubella, or other serious vaccine-preventable diseases that used to be common. They are really the ones who need to press their patients about the importance of vaccination. It seems like doctors who just turn these anti-vax patients away at the door are missing an important opportunity for education, but I do get their concern for their other patients.

— Posted by Kaitlyn Legare

There is no teaching some of the people who are anti-vaccine. They continue to believe what they want to believe, even when presented with the facts about vaccines. It's very unfortunate.

Imma AnnoidFeb 3, 2015

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The media is blaming the parents who didn't vaccinate.(I believe in vaccination, was blessed to have a healthy family). But another issue that should be addressed is people who are coming here without vaccinations. Until recently, we had eradicated many diseases and, thanks to Obama, we have let millions in without health immunizations and heath records. It's a border and travel issue that needs to be fixed for the safety of our children. Just saw a childcare owner on the news who is dealing with whooping cough. Who knew Obama would turn us into a third world country.

— Posted by Danny22

There are large pockets of the unvaccinated in affluent areas of California. People think they know more than Dr.'s and scientists. I am sure some of the illnesses are due to people from other countries, but not all.

John HeitzenraterFeb 3, 2015

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There is a whole new generation of parents now and they need to be educated about the importance of vaccinating their children just like their parents were. There is also a whole new generation of doctors now who have probably never even seen a patient with measles, rubella, or other serious vaccine-preventable diseases that used to be common. They are really the ones who need to press their patients about the importance of vaccination. It seems like doctors who just turn these anti-vax patients away at the door are missing an important opportunity for education, but I do get their concern for their other patients.

— Posted by Kaitlyn Legare

have you tried to educate an anti-vaxxer? i have. it's almost impossible. the more you challenge their superstition with actual facts, the more they cling to it. or they'll just move the goalposts.

Ty ShrakeFeb 3, 2015

View quoted thread

[quote=14417280]Post by Danny22[/quote

What a sad and feeble attempt to place blame on Obama. He has deported more illegLs than any other president.

— Posted by Tony Snark

LOL! No, he hasn't deported more illegals than any other president. The administration CHANGED THE DEFINITION OF DEPORTATION to artificially inflate the numbers. He now counts "returns" as "deportations". That's never been done before. You're being manipulated. Research it. Or not.